President Donald Trump launched a blistering attack on Fox News pundit Karl Rove on Thursday, urging the network to fire the former George W. Bush White House aide. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump labeled Rove a “sloppy RINO”—using the acronym for “Republicans in Name Only”—and insisted the network should “get rid” of him.
Trump wrote that Rove has “called ME and MAGA wrong for 11 years now, and he still doesn’t get it, and he never will, because he suffers from a completely inoperable, and totally dysfunctional, case of Trump Derangement Syndrome.” The president added, “Put Karl Rove out to pasture, NOW. He is a LOSER, and he always will be!”
The exact comments that triggered Trump’s latest outburst remain unclear, but the president has a long history of targeting Rove for his critical analysis. Rove, a fixture on Fox News known for his whiteboard presentations on polling and voter sentiment, has repeatedly questioned Trump’s policies and rhetoric. Most recently, after the State of the Union address, Rove said the speech “didn’t sound based in reality.”
Trump’s relationship with Fox News has been volatile for years. While he has publicly blasted network owner Rupert Murdoch, he has also tapped several Fox hosts and contributors for Cabinet positions. This latest attack underscores the ongoing tension between the former president and a network that once amplified his message but has increasingly featured dissenting voices.
The episode comes as Trump continues to dominate Republican politics, with his influence shaping key legislative battles. For instance, the recent Senate passage of a $69.5 billion immigration enforcement bill highlighted GOP infighting over a Trump-aligned fund, and Senator Cassidy has pushed to block Trump’s $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund in a budget battle. These moves reflect the broader struggle within the party between Trump loyalists and establishment figures like Rove.
Rove, who served as deputy chief of staff under President George W. Bush, has long been a target of Trump’s ire. The former president frequently derides Rove as part of the “failed” Republican establishment, accusing him of being out of touch with the MAGA base. Trump’s call to “put Karl Rove out to pasture” is the latest in a series of demands that Fox News align more closely with his political agenda.
Fox News has not publicly responded to Trump’s demand. The network has faced pressure from both sides: some viewers want more pro-Trump commentary, while others seek balanced analysis. Rove remains a regular contributor, and his role on the network appears secure for now.
Trump’s attack also fits a broader pattern of targeting critics within conservative media. As the 2024 election cycle heats up, the former president is expected to continue using his platform to pressure outlets and personalities he views as insufficiently supportive.
